Survival kit



Oct. 3, 1961 M. F. MURRAY 3,002,490

' SURVIVAL KIT Filed Sept. 23, 1958 v 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig.2 3a

Michael 1-: Murray INVENTOR.

BY.- 2 I 0% Oct. 3, 1961 M. F. MURRAY 3,002,490

SURVIVAL KIT Filed Sept. 25, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig.4

. I \.\\u !A\-'; 1 a l4 0 I Fig.6

' 1 Michael E Murray INVENTOR.

UnitedStates Patent 3,002,490 SURVIVAL KIT Michael F. Murray, 3S1 ParkAve., Eugene, Greg. Filed Sept. 23, 1958, Ser. No. 762,751 2 Claims.(Cl. 116-124) g The present invention generally relates to a survivalkit and more particularly to such a kit constructedin a size that may bereadily carried in a persons pocket while hunting or going into a remotearea where one might become lost.

An object of the present invention is to provide a survival kit in theform of an inflatable ballon having a reel for a line attached to theballon together with a novel structural arrangement for providinginflation and sealing of the balloon soithat the balloon will stay aloftat a relatively high altitude so that the same may be observed wherebythe person employing the survival kit may be readily located with thekit having many uses as by hunters, boy scouts, fishermen, militarypersonnel, forest rangers, mountain climbers and sportsmen of varioustype.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a survival kit inwhich the balloon is provided with reflective disk and a bright colortogether with a flag disposed under the balloon for attaching attentionthereby enabling the balloon to be used as a distress warning or signalor a device for location of a camp or a red cross may be used todesignate a first aid station or to designate that first aid is needed.All of the many variations incorporate the reel construction and theinflatable balloon and a small carrying case for the entire assemblythus enabling the device to be easily carried in the pocket Withoutadding much weight to the usual heavy load of a hunter or sportsman.

Another important feature of the present invention is to provide asurvival kit which is simple in construction, easy to use, compact, welladapted for the particular purposes for which the same is intended andrelatively inexpensive to manufacture.

These together with other objects and and advantages whichwill becomesubsequently apparent reside in the details-of construction andoperation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, whereinlike numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the survival kit of the presentinvention illustrating the same in use;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged elevation of the kit in stored gondition withthe closure member disposed in open conition;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged side elevation of the warning balloon orsignaling balloon with portions thereof broken away for illustrating theconstruction thereof;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken substantially upona plane passing along section line 4--4 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged transverse, plan sectional view takensubstantially upon a plane passing along section line 55 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged detail sectional view taken substantially upon aplane passing along section line 6-6 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged vertical sectional view illustrating the capsulepuncturing mechanism and the check valve assembly for the balloon; and

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged sectional view taken sub stantially upon a planepassing along section line 8-8 of FIGURE 7.

Referring now specifically to the drawings, the numeral 10 generallydesignates the survival kit of the present invention which includes agenerally rectangular pocket sized container 12 having one side 14thereof hingedly connccted to the open face of the container 12 by hingemembers 16 and retained in closed condition by a catch 18. The container12 is divided into a plurality of compartments by partition walls 20.Adjacent one corner of the container 12 is a compartment 22 receiving adeflated ballon 24 having the usual neck or entrance mouth 26.

In a compartment 28 alongside of the balloon 24 is av ing a plurality ofmatches 40 whereby the matches 40 will:

be retained in water-proof condition.

Disposed between the compartments 36 and 32 is an enlarged compartment42 having a shaft 44 extending upwardly therein for receiving a pulleyreel ad which has cylindrical projection 48 on one side thereof with thepulley 46 being held onto the shaft 44 by a screw threaded and headedfastener 50. The cylindrical projection 48 is received in a circularopening 52 in the openable closure 14 thus revealing a finger notch 54whereby the pulley reel 46 may be rotated by engaging the finger in thesocket or notch 54. An elongated flexible line 56 is attached to thereel 46 at point 57 and extends outwardly through an opening 58 having anotch 60 leading to the edge of the top wall whereby the line 56 may bepayed out throughthe aperture 56 or the same may be wound onto the reelpulley 46 by rotating the pulley 46 and winding the line 56 onto thesame.

The line 56 is provided with a snap hook 62 on the free endthereof forengagement with the opening and sealing mechanism 30 when it is insertedinto the neck 26 of the balloon 24. Mounted on the line 56 below theballoon 24 is a flag 64 of any brilliant color and the balloon 24 isprovided with a plurality of reflective disks '66 which may beconstructed of polished aluminum or the like.

Referring specifically to FIGURE 7, it will be seen that the puncturingand sealing mechanism 30 includes a generally cylindrical body 68 havinga longitudinal bore 70 therethrough. The body 68 is provided with a pairof longitudinally spaced circumferetnial ribs 72 for frictionally andpositively engaging the neck 26 of the bailon. I

The inner end of the bore 70 is provided with a valve seat 74 receivinga spherical check valve 76 urged to a closed position by a spiral coilspring 78 with the coil spring being held in position by a retainer 80which has a central opening 82 therein for allowing air to enter intothe balloon. The lower outer end of the body 68 is externally threadedas indicated by the numeral 86 for receiving a cap and washer 88 forsealing the bore 70 under certain conditions.

The interior or hollow bore 70 of the body 63 is enlarged at thethreaded end and is provided with internal threads for threadedengagement with the external threads on the neck 90 of a compress gascylinder 92 having a puncturable seal 94 therein which may be rupturedby a depending pointed punch 96 which will rupture the seal 94 but willassure that all of the energy stored therein will be effectivelyconsumed.

With this construction, the capsule 92 is threaded into the sockets inthe body 68 and engaged with the pointed member 96 thus rupturing theseal for the open end of the capsule 92.

The closure cap 88 is provided with a loop 96 for receiving the snaphook fastener 62 thus securely attaching the line 56 to the balloon 24.When the balloon 24 is stored, it is folded compactly and the variousarticles are Patented Got. 3, 1961 spoaasc 2 arranged as shown in FIGURE2 with the reflective disks 66 which are provided with adhesive on theback to stick on the plastic balloons being mounted on the closuremember by clips 98.

While dimensions may vary it has been found that the balloons may bemade of latex, plastics or other materials and range in size from 12inches in diameter up to any size required. The container may beconstructed of plastic or metal and the balloon may be colored abrilliant color such as red or a gantron fluorescent red signifying adistress signal, The insert valve and puncturing device is preferablyconstructed of platsic and inserted into the mouth of the balloon andthe puncture point or prick point 96 is constructed of metal and willeffectively puncture the cap 94 of the compressed gas cylinder 92 sothat the compressed gas may escape through the holes on either side ofthe punch 96 as illustrated in FIGURE 8 in which the holes aredesignated by the numeral 100. As soon as the balloon is completelyinflated, the capsule containing the helium and air or carbon dioxide isremoved with the check valve 76 holding the air or gas in the balloon.The cap which may be provided with a sealing gasket is then placed overthe valve body 68 and is provided with the loop 96 for receiving theswivel snap fastener or loop fastener 62. The purpose of the aluminumdisk which may be conveniently three inches in diameter with adhesive onthe back is to reflect or refract the suns rays and send out light raysignals as an added feature. The disk thus will allow a person manymiles away from the ascended balloon to notice or observe the light raysreflected from the aluminum disk as well as the balloon from a positionover the horizon.

On windy days the round survival balloon has a tendency to driftdownward below the treetops. Therefore, the balloon has been constructedalong the lines of a kite with a string attached to the center of thesame. This construction performs beautifully in the wind as it climbs tothe given length of the string if the wind is blowing. On a calm day theballoon goes aloft in the same manner minus a breeze. With stringattached, it will maintain a given elevation if sent aloft on a windyday. The same construction and technique could be applied to a kiteballoon for children to fly as a toy whether a breeze is blowing or not.I

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles ofthe invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes willreadily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limitthe invention to the exact construction and operation shown anddescribed, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalentsmay be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention asclaimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A survival kit comprising a container, a reel to tatably mounted inthe container, said reel including means projecting exteriorly of thecontainer for enabling rotation of the reel, a flexible line having oneend connected tothe reel, said container including an opening receivingsaid line, said line extending exteriorly of the container, aninflatable balloon having an entrance mouth, a longitudinally elongatedhollow valve body disposed in said month, said valve body defining alongitudinal bore communicating the interior of said balloon with theatmosphere, a closure cap mounted on one end of said valve body, theother end of said valve body being disposed in said mouth, and means onsaid cap connected with said flexible line, a puncturing element mountedon said body within said bore, said puncturing element having a pointedend facing the cap and disposed adjacent thereto, check valve meansdisposed in said bore inwardly of said puncturing element for admittinggas into said balloon and preventing discharge of gas from said balloon,said body defining a counterbore at saidone end for receiving the sealedend of a pressurized gas cartridge, said counterbore being defined by acylindrical wall having means thereon for sealing and detachableconnection with a pressurized gas cartridge, whereby the cap may beremoved and the sealed end of a pressurized gas cartridge inserted intothe counterbore and engaged with the puncturing element for puncturingthe sealed end of the cartridge and inflating the balloon.

2. The structure as defined in claim 1 wherein said valve means includesa spherical valve member, spring means interconnecting the valve memberand the valve body for biasing the valve member longitudinally inwardlyof the valve body, said valve body defining a counterbore at the otherend thereof with the inner end of the counterbore defining an annularvalve seat for receiving said valve rtnember whereby said valve membernormally closes said ore. I

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,142,291 Solski Jan. 3, 1939 2,380,587 Fenton July 31, 1945 2,395,006Leslie Feb. 19, 1946 2,619,303 Martin Nov. 25, 1952 2,629,115 HansenFeb. 24, 1953 2,801,026 Fruendt July 30, 1957

